Maryland safety Antwaine Richardson likely out for season with torn ACL

Maryland football suffered an injury blow in spring practice on Saturday, as rising senior safety Antwaine Richardson tore his ACL, head coach Mike Locksley told reporters Monday. This injury is expected to sideline him for the 2019 season.

It’s a tough blow for the Terps, as Richardson was one of six returning starters on the defensive side of the ball. He started 10 games at in 2018, recording 41 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, an interception, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery.

Richardson was entering his senior season, but still has a redshirt season, so he’ll likely be able to return in 2020. In 22 career appearances, he has 68 total tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss, with his lone career pick coming against Illinois in October. With Darnell Savage graduating, Richardson was expected to be a veteran leader at the position.

“The biggest thing for us is that he’s a guy that’s shown the ability to motivate and affect others in a positive manner, and that part of it for us is the part that I think we’re gonna miss the most,” Locksley said.

Richardson also missed his senior season in high school with an ACL injury.

Maryland still has talent and depth at safety—the group in practice has also included Deon Jones (who made a spot start for Richardson last fall), Fofie Bazzie, Raymond Boone, Jordan Mosley and converted nickel corner Antoine Brooks. The Terps also have 2019 recruits Nick Cross and Treron Collins joining the mix in June.